SBAND PRESIDENT
MEMBERS OF SBAND
SBAND PRESIDENT
WELCOMING THE NEWEST
MEMBERS OF SBAND
DARCIE EINARSON SBAND President
I had the privilege of addressing the newest members of our association last month as they took their oaths at the State Capitol. I also attended the UND School of Law Social over homecoming and watched as some of our future lawyers accepted their scholarships for being at the top of their respective classes.
I remember those times so fondly.
We have all been there. We have all felt small in the House chamber. We all remember raising our hands, swearing to uphold the Constitution, to maintain only claims that are just, and to faithfully perform our duties as an Officer of the Court. We stood in line, congratulating each other and taking our turn to add our name to the roll, just like all of the others before us.
As I pondered what advice I could offer these fresh-faced young lawyers, my first thought was,“ ask others.” My parents did, after all, instill a fair amount of humility in me. I knew I didn’ t know everything. Thankfully, my colleagues in this occupation are smart, responsive, and always willing to help.
Here’ s their sage advice( I’ ve made some edits):
“ Be especially nice to court staff … Meet with difficult clients in person. Resist the temptation to communicate with difficult people by email, phone, or letter. When you meet in person, you can read your client’ s body language and you can communicate more clearly in person than through any other manner.”— Mike Williams, Maring Law Office
“ Commit to being a life-long learner. Approach your career and your life with the attitude that all of your experiences are valuable... Whether your day includes a success or a failure, find a‘ take away’ that helps you grow as a lawyer and a person.”— Dean Kathryn Rand, University of North
Dakota School of Law
“ Good physical and mental condition are essential for peak performance as a lawyer. The stress of our profession demands that both be kept in good shape.”— John Olson, Chair of Lawyers Assistance
Program
“ Know when to ask for help. As a young lawyer, I often turned to my legal assistant and paralegals to help me. They had more experience working in the legal profession than I did. They were easier to approach when I had a‘ dumb question.’”— Kara J. Erickson, Disciplinary Counsel
“ Do your best work, always. If you do that, you will gain a good reputation among judges, other lawyers, and your clients. Also, be civil and professional. You do not need to sacrifice your position, but you may need to agree to disagree.”— Mary Muehlen Maring, Retired Supreme
Court Justice / Mediator
“ Early in your career you will decide whether your predominant approach will be that of a‘ problem solver’ or that of a‘ warrior.’ The world has plenty of warriors already.”— Scott Jensen, Camrud Law Firm
“ Be professional, be a zealous advocate, but also be respectful and professional to opposing counsel. This is important as we practice in such a close-knit community.”— Jennifer Albaugh, YLS Representative to
SBAND Board
“ Read 2.8( B) of the North Dakota Rules of Judicial Conduct. This applies to you, too. If you feel that a‘ scorched earth’ approach is the appropriate way to represent your client, you are better suited to professional wrestling. All you will do is to make things worse. Instead, you should work on your mediation skills. Sometimes you will need to take the case to trial but, for the sake of your clients, you should try to resolve the dispute.”— A district court judge who preferred to remain anonymous
“ If you are a nice person, be a nice person. You can be a very good and effective attorney without name calling, hiding the ball, or being difficult. Be authentic and true to yourself.”— Deann Pladson, Pladson Law Office
I’ m so thankful for all the things I’ ve learned from other lawyers. Pay attention, there is a lesson in everything. You will learn from good lawyers and not so good lawyers. You will learn a lot more from your mistakes than from your successes. If you make a mistake, fess up and correct it. It’ s ok to apologize. You will not be the first good lawyer to make a mistake or to get caught at it. Be decent and discreet if you catch opposing counsel in an error.
Thank you to all who helped me in this profession and in crafting my speech and now this article. I’ d echo all those thoughts and also encourage all lawyers, young and old, to be good mentors. Welcome to the club, youngsters!
4 THE GAVEL